Methods and devices for displaying and collecting information at windows

Abstract

An arrangement is disclosed for displaying and collecting information. A substantially transparent or translucent touchscreen is disposed at an exterior of a window comprised by a building. A display device is disposed at an interior side of the window and has a display visible from the exterior of the building through the touchscreen and window. A controller is provided in communication with the touchscreen and the display device. The controller has instructions for correlating a position activated on the touchscreen with a position of information displayed on the display.

1 . An arrangement for displaying and collecting information, the arrangement comprising:
 a substantially transparent or translucent touchscreen disposed at an exterior side of a window comprised by a building;   a display device disposed at an interior side of the window and having a display visible from the exterior of the building through the touchscreen and window; and   a controller in communication with the touchscreen and the display device, the controller having instructions for correlating a position activated on the touchscreen with a position of information displayed on the display.   
   
   
       2 . The arrangement recited in  claim 1  wherein the controller is in wireless communication with the touchscreen. 
   
   
       3 . The arrangement recited in  claim 1  further comprising a battery disposed at the exterior side of the window and in electrical communication with the touchscreen to provide power to the touchscreen. 
   
   
       4 . The arrangement recited in  claim 3  further comprising a solar cell disposed at the exterior side of the window and in electrical communication with the battery to provide energy to the battery. 
   
   
       5 . The arrangement recited in  claim 1  further comprising a substantially transparent or translucent protective covering disposed over the touchscreen to protect the touchscreen. 
   
   
       6 . The arrangement recited in  claim 1  further comprising a picture frame disposed at the exterior side of the window and holding the touchscreen. 
   
   
       7 . The arrangement recited in  claim 6  further comprising a window frame holding the window, wherein the picture frame is integrated into the window frame. 
   
   
       8 . The arrangement recited in  claim 1  wherein the controller further has instructions for executing diagnostic functions to evaluate a condition of the touchscreen. 
   
   
       9 . A method for displaying and collecting information with an arrangement having a substantially transparent or translucent touchscreen disposed at an exterior side of a window comprised by a building, a display device disposed at an interior side of the window and having a display visible from the exterior of the building through the touchscreen and window, and a controller in communication with the touchscreen and the display device, the method comprising:
 displaying information on the display;   detecting a touch on the touchscreen; and   correlating a position of the touch on the touchscreen with a position of the information displayed on the display using the controller.   
   
   
       10 . The method recited in  claim 9  wherein detecting the touch on the touchscreen comprises receiving a wireless signal from the touchscreen at the controller. 
   
   
       11 . The method recited in  claim 9  further comprising providing power to the touchscreen with a battery disposed at the exterior side of the window and in electrical communication with the touchscreen. 
   
   
       12 . The method recited in  claim 11  further comprising:
 generating energy with a solar cell disposed at the exterior side of the window; and   providing the generated energy to the battery.   
   
   
       13 . The method recited in  claim 9  further comprising executing diagnostic functions with the controller to evaluate a condition of the touchscreen.